2 men dead, multiple hospitalized after FSU shooting; Suspect identified as son of LCSO deputy

Police said the two deceased are not students, but declined to share any other details on victims

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/AP) – Two men have died and multiple others are hospitalized after the son of a local sheriff’s deputy allegedly opened fire Thursday on Florida State University’s campus, officials said.

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, local officials shared that six additional people are hospitalized, including the shooter. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, who has serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to a Thursday evening Tallahassee Police Department Facebook post.

Five of the victims were shot, and one was injured while fleeing the gunfire, authorities said.

The deceased are not students, according to FSU Police.In a press conference Thursday afternoon, local officials shared that six additional people are hospitalized, as well as the shooter.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil also identified Ikner as the son of a LCSO school resource deputy. He also disclosed that Ikner has been a “longstanding” member of the LCSO Youth Advisory Council.

“This is obviously a heinous crime. We understand that you all have been devastated by this person’s actions.”

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil

One of the weapons found at the crime scene belonged to Ikner’s mother, who has worked as an LCSO deputy for years, per Sheriff Walt McNeil. Officials said the gun was a former LCSO firearm that the deputy had purchased from the sheriff’s office and now uses as a personal weapon.

Authorities said they are continuing to investigate the crime, but as of Thursday, Deputy Jessica Ikner wil not be placed on leave or probation.

Updated details on the suspect and victims were shared during a 4:30 p.m. press conference, hours after news of the shooting first surfaced.

An active shooter was first reported on campus just before noon in the area near the Student Union. Two hours later, the Associated Press broke the news that authorities had taken a suspect into custody.

When law enforcement confronted the shooter and commanded him to stand down, he did not comply, officials alleged. So officers fired at him. It is unclear how many times law enforcement discharged their weapons or how many officers fired.

The Tallahassee Police Department is leading the investigation into the homicides as well as into the “officer-involved shooting,” according to Chief Lawrence Revell.For hours, authorities have urged anyone on Florida State’s campus to seek shelter and await further instructions while FSU Police, Tallahassee Police and Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials flood the campus.

“Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures,” the alert said.

As of 3:15 p.m., TPD said that “campus has been secured.”

“Law enforcement has neutralized the threat,” an FSU alert said just before 3:20 p.m.

The Tallahassee Police Department established a “student reunification point” at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, according to a social media post from the agency. Support services are also available there, per university officials.

READ MORE: Tucker Center offering support services for those affected by shooting

Authorities escorted students and staff with palms held high out of classrooms and lesson halls Thursday. FSU busses packed with Seminoles left the campus in droves, ushering survivors away from streets and buildings still packed with police.

Dozens of squad cars, fire trucks and ambulances blazed down Tennessee Street toward the historic campus Thursday afternoon. FSU Police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement saturated the streets and pathways of the campus, with their presence finally beginning to wane at about 5 p.m.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation also responded to the scene, a post from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

Law enforcement have asked the community not to return to campus to retrieve any belongings abandoned during the shooting, as many areas are still active crime scenes.

Details are still being gathered on how the shooting unfolded. A graduate student on campus told WCTV that he saw a college-aged man emerge from the Student Union with a handgun.

Students who were in the union at the time of the shooting told a WCTV reporter they heard about 15 to 20 gunshots. The students said they then fled the scene and took shelter in a church across the street.

FSU economics senior Gabriel Santoro was in class when all at once, it became clear something was very wrong.

As his classmate presented a research paper, another student interrupted, saying people outside were running. Then, they got a text. It was the university’s emergency alert.

“We kind of all realized something was going on,” he said. “We got the desks and started piling them against the door.”

Chris Pento, a father who was in Tallahassee with his twins for an FSU campus tour, said they were looking at a menu on campus when shots rang out.

“I couldn’t believe it. Shots fired. It was surreal. People just started running. She got trampled over.”

Chris Pento, a father on a campus tour

He said they tried to hide in rooms off a long hallway but all the doors were locked.

That’s when the father said about 50 people ran into a service elevator and when the doors opened, there were two officers with guns drawn who helped them escape.

“I just hope everyone is okay. I’m praying for those people who are injured, and I just hope we can do better in the future,” one student told a WCTV reporter.

The tragedy reverberated across the state and nation Thursday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the shooting in a social media post: “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”

The governor and First Lady Casey DeSantis visited Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Thursday afternoon, where victims of the shooting are receiving treatment.

President Donald Trump also commented on the shooting during a press conference.

“It’s a shame. Horrible thing, horrible thing,” the president said. “Things like this take place. And we will have more to say about it later.”

READ MORE | ‘Horrible thing’: Trump, DeSantis and other authorities offer prayers after FSU campus shooting

Medical officials in the capital city say they are working to support those injured in the shooting.

In a statement to WCTV just before 12:50 p.m., a Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare representative wrote the following:

“TMH is actively receiving and caring for patients related to an incident that has occurred at Florida State University. At this time, details are still unfolding, and we do not yet have specific information to share. However, we want to assure the community that our teams are fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected.We remain in close coordination with emergency responders and public safety officials. Out of respect for patient privacy and to ensure accurate information, we will provide updates as soon as they are available.We ask for your patience and compassion during this difficult time.”

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare representative

State Rep. Gallop Franklin, D – District 8, thanked emergency responders for their swift response Thursday.

“This is a time of great concern, worry, and anguish for the FSU community and all of Tallahassee and Leon County,” a statement from the representative said in part.

Many in the community say they are in disbelief.

“Why do things like this keep happening? I’m at a loss for words, honestly,” Santoro said.

In the wake of the shooting, FSU is suspending all activity on campus. All Seminole Athletics events are canceled through Sunday, and all classes are canceled through Friday, according to the university.

FSU President Richard McCullough said he and his wife visited the injured at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

“Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this terrible tragedy,” McCullough said.

The university president released a statement on Instagram Thursday evening, thanking law enforcement and acknowledging the tragic event.

“We are heartbroken. We are grieving with the families, friends and loved ones of those who were lost. We are holding close those are are injured, and we are standing by everyone who is hurting,” the president wrote.Nearby Florida A&M University canceled all classesm on Thursday. Tallahassee State College canceled all classes scheduled for Friday.